Explore

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Proposes New Funding to Protect Forests and Support Local Governments

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Proposes New Funding to Protect Forests and Support Local Governments

Washington's Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove, has introduced a new funding strategy aimed at conserving older forests while simultaneously ensuring revenue streams for schools and local governments. This updated approach, outlined in a recent news conference, seeks to move away from a sole reliance on traditional timber harvesting. The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is exploring various tools, including conservation easements, potential carbon-market revenue, and additional state funding. Upthegrove emphasized that the state is facing an ecological and economic crisis due to current practices. The DNR is also considering adjustments to management fees that contribute to county governments and school construction. Specifically, there's a proposal to increase the management fee share from 25% to 27% on state Forest Board lands, which would generate an estimated $1 million. Another proposal suggests raising fees from 31% to 32% on federal trust lands, supporting school construc...

Governor Newsom Advances California's Carbon Market Linkage with Washington State

Governor Newsom Advances California's Carbon Market Linkage with Washington State

Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a significant step forward in California's plan to link its carbon market with Washington State. On September 21, 2026, Governor Newsom made the formal findings legally required for California to proceed with linking the two markets, consistent with advice from the Attorney General. This action allows the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to initiate the public regulatory process, which is the final step before the markets are formally linked. The proposed linkage aims to create a larger, more stable carbon market, which is expected to help California continue to efficiently reduce climate pollution and support investments in cleaner transportation, affordable housing, wildfire resilience, and other community priorities. California first launched its carbon market in 2013 and linked with Quebec's Cap-and-Trade System in 2014. Washington State became the second U.S. state to launch a carbon market in 2023, with its system designed for future linkage.

Governor Newsom Criticizes President Trump's Climate Stance and Announces AI Safety Experts

Governor Newsom Criticizes President Trump's Climate Stance and Announces AI Safety Experts

During Climate Week NYC, Governor Gavin Newsom met with world and business leaders, criticizing President Trump for what he described as an abdication of responsibilities on climate change. Newsom accused President Trump of attempting to revert to 19th-century energy policies by promoting fossil fuels, reopening coal plants, and planning new oil drilling, which Newsom believes puts the American economy at risk. In contrast, Newsom highlighted California's leadership in clean energy, stating that the state's economy runs on two-thirds clean energy daily and has achieved significant GDP growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Separately, Newsom announced the formation of a group of world-leading experts to advise on California's AI safety framework, including the development of a potential "kill switch" for advanced AI models, expressing concern over President Trump's perceived lack of guardrails for artificial intelligence.

Washington State Faces Calls for Transparency in Government Employee Collective Bargaining

Washington State Faces Calls for Transparency in Government Employee Collective Bargaining

Washington state is experiencing renewed calls for greater transparency in collective bargaining agreements for government employees, particularly as multiple school districts recently reached tentative agreements and a deadline looms for unionized state government employees to submit ratified contracts. These contracts, which cover wages and benefits, constitute a significant portion of local and state government budgets. Currently, these agreements are negotiated behind closed doors, with financial details often remaining undisclosed to the public until well after they are finalized and funded by the legislature. This lack of public visibility is a point of contention, especially given Washington's strong Public Records Laws and Open Public Meetings Act, which generally advocate for open government. However, a 1990 legislative carve-out exempts union grievance meetings and collective bargaining sessions from these transparency requirements, a decision reinforced by court rulings. Efforts in Lincoln Count...

Firefighters Respond To A Call And End Up Giving A Dog The Best Day Ever

Firefighters Respond To A Call And End Up Giving A Dog The Best Day Ever

It started as a routine call for firefighters from Spokane County Fire District 9 in Washington State.

Every Washington State player drafted by the Golden State Warriors

Every Washington State player drafted by the Golden State Warriors

Let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Washington State.

Washington State Department of Commerce Awards $475,000 to Eight Local Governments to Accelerate Housing Permit Processes

Washington State Department of Commerce Awards $475,000 to Eight Local Governments to Accelerate Housing Permit Processes

The Washington State Department of Commerce has allocated $475,000 in grants to eight local governments across the state. These funds are intended to expedite the review of residential building permits, a critical step in addressing the state's housing shortage. The grants will support various initiatives, including the implementation of new permitting software, digital application systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. For instance, the City of Bellevue received $70,000 to deploy AI tools that will assist permit applicants in submitting complete and accurate applications, thereby reducing delays. Other recipients, such as Lacey and Tumwater, will use their grants to transition to modern digital permitting platforms, allowing online application, tracking, and payment. The Snohomish County Health Department will automate the transfer of application data for septic systems to accelerate reviews. These efforts aim to streamline a process often plagued by incomplete applications, repeated corrections...

Environmental Groups Oppose USDA Plan to Weaken National Forest Protections and Expand Motorized Use

Environmental Groups Oppose USDA Plan to Weaken National Forest Protections and Expand Motorized Use

Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) have formally opposed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to revise travel management regulations for the 193-million-acre National Forest System. The proposed changes would increase off-road and motorized traffic while removing existing standards designed to protect wildlife, water, and other forest users. The current Travel Management Rule, adopted in response to rising off-road vehicle use, prohibits unmanaged cross-country motor vehicle travel and requires each forest to designate specific roads, trails, and areas for motorized use. Managers are also mandated to apply 'minimization criteria' to limit environmental damage and identify a 'minimum road system' that the agency can afford to maintain. The USDA's new proposal seeks to eliminate these minimization criteria, replace the 'minimum road system' with an 'adequate and appropriate' standard, and presume existing routes ...

Cocktail Thursday: Oklahoma Edition

Cocktail Thursday: Oklahoma Edition

Are your Georgia Bulldogs taking a step up in competition against a team that’s had this game circled on the calendar for months, and that needs a bounce back performance in the worst way? Then you could probably use a drink. I can help you with that. I’ve watched this Oklahoma team against UTEP and […]

How Washington's Forensic Mental Health Office Handles Competency and Diversion Services

How Washington's Forensic Mental Health Office Handles Competency and Diversion Services

The Office of Forensic Mental Health Services (OFMHS), a division of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Behavioral Health Administration, is actively transforming the state's adult forensic mental health system. This initiative focuses on the intersection of law and psychology, providing crucial services for defendants within the criminal court system. Key services include competency evaluations, treatment to restore competency, forensic navigator services, jail technical assistance, and workforce development. The OFMHS aims to better support individuals with mental illnesses who interact with the criminal justice system. A significant part of their effort stems from the Trueblood v. DSHS case, which mandates timely competency evaluations and inpatient restoration services. The department has achieved an average of 83.3% compliance in completing in-jail competency evaluations within 14 days in 2024, with some eastern regions reaching 100% compliance. They also consistently offer...

Arizona Republic

Big 12 football Week 4 announcers, TV channels, times, game schedule

Big 12 football Week 4 announcers, TV channels, times, game schedule

Big 12 football TV channels, times, how to watch, how to stream, announcers for college football Week 4 schedule. Who is announcing games this week?

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Resists Copper-Nickel Mine in Minnesota, Citing Environmental Risks

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Resists Copper-Nickel Mine in Minnesota, Citing Environmental Risks

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is actively opposing the proposed Tamarack Mining Project in Minnesota, a copper-nickel mine that is currently moving through the regulatory process. This project is distinct from the Boundary Waters area, making it unaffected by Governor Tim Walz’s recent executive order halting nonferrous mineral mining in that specific watershed. The Band, through its 'Water Over Nickel' initiative, is raising concerns about the potential environmental impacts of this type of mining, particularly in a region rich with wetlands and critical for wild rice harvesting. Kelly Applegate, commissioner of natural resources for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, emphasized the cultural significance of wild rice, or manoomin, and the potential for pollution to devastate this resource. The public comment period for the Tamarack Project recently concluded, with the Department of Natural Resources now tasked with reviewing feedback to determine the scope of the environmental impact statement.